Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Inattentive ADHD In Women?

Inattentive ADHD in Women Many women suffer for years prior to being diagnosed with ADHD. When they do, it may be like an epiphany. The symptoms often change in response to hormonal changes. Women might notice that their symptoms get worse during their menstrual cycles or during pregnancy. Women can also take on their ADHD traits, which can lead to depression. This can make it harder to diagnose and treat their ADHD. Causes Women who suffer from inattentional ADHD are usually not diagnosed until adulthood when their problems begin to affect their work or school as well as personal relationships. This is partly due to gender bias in both clinical settings and the perceptions of teachers and parents who are less likely to recognize ADHD symptoms for girls than boys, even when those symptoms are obvious (Ohan and Visser, 2009). Inattentional ADHD can cause women to forget important dates, forget deadlines, and lose track of time. They also have difficulty prioritizing tasks, organizing their thoughts or making plans for the future. They may also have trouble staying focused during conversations, and become easily distracted by external stimuli, inner thoughts or daydreaming. These symptoms can lead to poor school or work performance which can cause low self-esteem and frustration. Friends, family members and coworkers often misunderstand women with inattention ADHD. Their anger over their symptoms can lead to confusion and mistrust and can cause strained relationships. They are often seen as moody and irrational, which can increase the feeling that they are misunderstood. Women with inattentive ADHD are also afflicted by a range of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be made more difficult due to hormonal fluctuations, for instance when menstrual cycle is in full swing or pregnancy, or perimenopausal. During these times, the estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise which can aggravate ADHD symptoms. Another reason for inattention ADHD is environmental factors like a chaotic home or work environment which lacks structure. Women with inattentive ADHD are often unable to stay on track at work and can be unable to keep up with their work, which leads to a sense of inadequacy and low self-esteem. They may also find it difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback. This can further diminish confidence and cause people to avoid social interactions. Lastly, women with inattentive ADHD are more likely to have difficulty establishing and maintaining romantic relationships. They are more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety and can be especially sensitive to rejection, which may cause them to be more reluctant to risk a relationship. This can lead them to feel alone and can lead to depression and anxiety. Symptoms Most women with undiagnosed ADHD suffer from low self-esteem as they struggle to deal with the condition. Some may say that they're careless or forgetful. They may develop unhealthy ways of coping that include excessive drinking or drug use. They might also resort to self-injury that is not suicide-related, such as cutting or burning. ADHD symptoms can impact relationships, work, and school. Women and girls with ADHD tend to be mistakenly diagnosed more often as having anxiety or depressive disorders. This is because the signs of depression and anxiety are frequently similar to those of ADHD. Furthermore women who are not diagnosed with ADHD may experience mood swings that make them appear depressed or anxious. These symptoms can be caused by major life changes like getting married, starting a new career, or becoming parents. Adults who have inattentive ADHD are often mistakenly diagnosed, and can be mistaken as bipolar or borderline personality disorder. These symptoms include difficulty in concentrating or concentrating, as well as feelings like despair or sadness and difficulties managing stress and criticism. These symptoms, when coupled with poor time-management, can result in difficulties at work or in school and with family members and friends. Attention-deficit ADHD can cause problems with coping skills for girls and women, which can include procrastination or underestimating the time a task will take (timeblindness). They may have difficulty keeping track of their schedules and appointments, are prone to lose or misplace items and are prone to jumping between tasks. They also may have issues with impulse control, like interrupting others or making impulsive decisions. Women with undiagnosed ADHD should be aware of their symptoms and seek assistance. They can seek treatment from their primary care provider or a mental health specialist. Additionally they can improve their coping abilities by employing methods of organization, like making lists or planning ahead. They can also engage in physical exercise, which releases neurotransmitters that improve concentration and attention. It is also a good idea to divide up household and caregiving responsibilities with their partner or other support network, so they don't get overwhelmed by chores or other errands. Treatment Treatments for ADHD symptoms usually include treatment and medication. Drugs that stimulate the brain, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines can help reduce the ADHD symptoms of inattention. Nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) are also available. Behavioral therapy can help with the organizational and emotional aspects of ADHD. Therapists may employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps people to change negative thoughts and behaviors and others provide one-on-one therapy for self-esteem and emotional regulation. Support groups are an excellent way for people with ADHD to meet other people who have the same disorder and learn about how to manage symptoms. A diagnosis of inattentive ADHD may be a challenge for some women to accept. They might believe that their problems result from a lack of discipline or bad parenting, and this can affect their self-esteem. They might also feel embarrassed and ashamed because they are unable to keep up with school or work. The symptoms of ADHD are more severe when hormonal changes occur that are caused by menstruation, pregnancy, or menopausal. This can make it more difficult to deal with emotional symptoms, like mood swings and irritability. These symptoms can cause problems in relationships because of how they are perceived by others, especially male partners or colleagues. Women with inattentive ADHD frequently struggle to maintain an orderly home life, and this can lead to issues at school or at work. For instance, they could not remember important appointments or pay bills late. They might have issues organizing their work or school supplies, and they may struggle to complete their tasks. They might have trouble understanding the boundaries of social interaction and may interrupt other people when they are talking. These problems can cause conflicts in relationships and can affect a woman's overall sense of self-worth. Many women with inattentive ADHD aren't able to ask for assistance. They may believe that their problems aren't sufficient to warrant attention or that they shouldn't be able to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” They may also be afraid of the stigma associated when they are diagnosed with ADHD which could make it difficult for them to seek treatment. Women who are not treated for ADHD can become depressed or suicidal. They could also resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol or drug abuse. This could lead to health problems and other issues like self-harming and non-suicidal (NSSI) such as cutting or burning. Self-Esteem Women suffering from ADHD are often plagued by feelings of inadequacy and constant stress. This can make it more difficult to identify and articulate symptoms, and get treatment. It's also normal for women to mask their symptoms or devise strategies to disguise their symptoms from others, particularly as they age. Masking can cause problems at work or school and can affect relationships. Research has shown that women with ADHD are more at chance of feeling a sensitivity to rejection and having difficulty finding jobs. These experiences can reinforce negative thoughts that can lead to a lack of confidence and issues in interpersonal relationships. It is important that women with ADHD receive a correct diagnosis and treatment. It's essential that they are able to access the right therapist or clinician who is familiar with the challenges that girls and women have to face when dealing with ADHD. As women and girls grow older, they could encounter societal and cultural expectations that place the majority of household and parenting duties on them, and differ from those imposed on fathers. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression and can lead to chaotic, unorganized home environments, unfinished projects and a reluctance to seek help or admit they are struggling. It's also common for females with ADHD to experience symptoms that are related to puberty and adolescence, and also suffer from premenstrual dysphoria. These symptoms can be made worse by the fluctuation in hormones and can be mistaken for anxiety or mood shifts. Women suffering from ADHD typically experience insufficient awareness of their condition, and they're less likely to receive treatment than men. Because of this, they're more at risk of negative consequences as adults such as relationships, unemployment and addiction. They are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and go undiagnosed for the rest of their lives. adult adhd symptoms women can be reduced by increasing education and advocating for health professionals, parents and teachers to recognize the symptoms of ADHD in women and girls.